1.Meghan is Not Her Birth Name
A year ago, the Royal Family did something quite unusual. Prince Harry released a statement both confirming his relationship with american actress Meghan Markle and asking the press to please respect their privacy. Meghan Markle, has made quite a name for herself as an actress on the hit show Suits, but is potentially better known for her role as Prince Harry's girlfriend of 10 months. Markle was previously very open with her fans and followers, but since she started dating the Prince has attempted to stay out of the spotlight and even shut down her blog. Harry and Meghan are rumoured to be moving into Kensington Palace together. Before last November, Markle was a well-known actress, but now she is a household name and princess-to-be.
Yet, she is still surrounded by mystery. Who is this 36-year-old that has stolen Harry’s heart? Here are seven things you might not know about Meghan Markle: 
Like her character on Suits, Meghan’s real name is Rachel - so her full name is Rachel Meghan Markle. Like a lot of actresses and stars, Meghan chose a different name to act as her stage name instead of her real one. Other stars who have adopted different names include Emma Stone (born Emily Stone), Katy Perry (real name Katherine Hudson) and Brad Pitt (who, like Meghan, adopted his middle name and is actually named William Bradley Pitt).
2. She Met Harry Through His Old School Friend
The Suits actress is close friends with designer Misha Nonoo who was married to Alexander Gilkes, one of Harry’s old school friends. Gilkes has many ties to the Royal Family as he attended Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011 and also employed Princess Eugenie for a time.
The two were reportedly introduced and the rest is history.
3. Most-Googled Actress Of 2016
While this will probably come as no surprise, once it was revealed the pair were dating, those who hadn’t seen Suits needed to know everything.
4. Best Friends With Serena Williams
The unlikely pair met playing a charity football match and now Markle makes sure to support her pal at grand slams.
Me might see Serena standing next to Meghan at the end of the aisle at the wedding.
5. She Was Married Before
The Suits actress once tied to the knot to long-time boyfriend, Trevor Engelson. MSN reports that the couple dated for seven years before finally saying, “I do.” However, after just two short years of marriage, they called it quits due to their careers.
Trevor was doing business in L.A. while Meghan was in Toronto filming Suits
6. She Was a Deal or No Deal girl
Before her big break on Suits, Meghan was a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal.
Hard work really does pay off.
7. Prince Harry had a crush on Meghan for two years before they met
Royal expert, Katie Nicholl revealed in the Channel 4 documentary When Harry Met Meghan that on a night out a couple of years ago, Harry was asked who his ideal woman was.
He answered, “Meghan Markle from Suits”.
8. She’s an Ambassador for World Vision
One of the things that reportedly drew Harry and Meghan together was their shared love for charity work.
Meghan became a World Vision Global Ambassador in 2016 after traveling to Rwanda to help with a new clean water pipeline.
9. Harry Changed Her Social Media Presence
Since she started dating Prince Harry 10 months ago, the actress has slowed down her use of social media and even closed down her lifestyle and wellness blog, The Tig.
10. Surprisingly Diverse Family Background
Meghan has revealed she has African-American and Dutch-Irish blood in her immediate family tree. Her mother Doria Radlan is African-American, and she met Meghan's Dutch-Irish father on the set of a TV show where they both worked.
The star has since said that because her mother is black with dreadlocks, and she passes as Caucasian, she often came under fire growing up as people questioned whether her mother was, in fact, her biological mom.
11. Before Meghan Became an Actress, She Worked as a Calligrapher
Meghan has previously revealed that she's talented when it comes to the penmanship trade. The actress revealed in an interview that she previously worked as a professional calligrapher before breaking into the spotlight. Meghan is an expert calligrapher and worked as a freelance calligrapher to make ends meet.
Her client list included Dolce & Gabbana and The Four Seasons. She even did calligraphy work on Robin Thicke and Paula Patton's wedding invites.
12. Her Go-to Dish To Impress Dinner Guests
"There is honestly nothing as delicious, or as impressive, in my opinion, as a perfectly roasted chicken. It's a game-changer.
I bring that to dinner parties and make a lot of friends," she told Good Housekeeping.
13. Her Favorite Outfit
When she's not in corporate attire on the set of her show, Suits, her go to is a pair of vegan leather trousers paired with a blazer and shirt. "The key is to have your own point of view attached to it.
Personally, I love cropped pants in vegan leather, a great fitted blazer and a button-down."
14. Her Favorite Recipe
While roast chicken is a dinner winner, Markle's best recipe is for an all-American pumpkin fondue.
15. What You'll Always Find in Her Fridge
"Hummus, carrots, because I love them and so does my dog, Bogart, strangely, a green juice, almond milk, for sure, and a chia seed pudding I make every single week.
So easy, so good."
16. Her Favorite Emoji
Explaining that it was her high school mascot, Markle's favorite emoji is the panda.
17. She Has a Degree in Communications
Meghan graduated from Northwestern University in 2003 with a degree in communications. During her time at university, she was active in social secs and was also a member of sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Since completing her degree, she has admitted that she wouldn't rule out a possible return to school for a master's degree.
18. Her Secret to Long-haul Flights
Markle loves to travel and says the best way to pass time on a long-haul flight is with a glass of wine and good movies.